Gor Mahia legend Austine Oduor laid to rest

By Peter Ochieng

A sombre mood engulfed Makunga village in Kakamega county on Saturday, during the burial of former Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars captain Austine Oduor Origi, alias Makamu.

Oduor who propelled Gor Mahia to the 1987 African Cup Winners' Cup (Nelson Mandela Cup) title win against Tunisia’s Esperance De Tunis, died over three weeks ago due to reported heart complications.

His body was ferried to Makunga on Friday, after a funeral service at the St. Teresa’s Catholic Church in Kibuye, Kisumu.

Touted as the greatest captain Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars has ever had, his burial was attended by a host of ex-players, and the ‘who-is-who’ in Kenya’s football circles, among them former Harambee Stars coaches Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee, Mickey Weche, and Principal Secretary (PS) for Sports, Engineer Peter Tum among others.

Having walked with Oduor as a friend for a very long time, Eliud Owalo, Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President, Performance and Delivery Management was among dignitaries present.

“Austine was a very good friend of mine. From the 1990’s to date. I knew Austine when he was still a player, I watched him play as a young soccer fan in the 80’s. But in the 90’s after he had retired, we used to go and watch Gor Mahia play,” said Owalo.

“But most recently, we become even closer when some time last year, having been concerned about the plight of soccer legends, especially those who played for Gor Mahia, I reached out to Austine and asked him to put the legends together so that we could see what we could do in our individual capacities to help.”

He said that is how the Gor Mahia Welfare Sustainability Fund was conceived, with Austine assuming the role of the chairman. He termed the late as reliable, dedicated and strict.

The former ICT and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary (CS) mooted plans for an annual soccer tournament in honour of the fallen ex Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars captain.

“This was a great man,” Owalo added.

PS Tum, who represented his boss, CS for Sports Kipchumba Murkomen, said the Kenyan soccer family had lost an icon.

“He is a legend in his own right in this country,” said Tum.

Makamu led the Origi football dynasty. He is survived by his wife, Pamela Aoko Oduor and 6 children, including former Harambee Stars goalkeeper Arnold Origi Oduor. Austine is brother to former Harambee Stars striker Mike Okoth Origi, and uncle to former Liverpool striker Divock Okoth Origi.